AMBLER — The season of peace on earth and good will toward men came to Ambler Borough during the annual Ambler Holiday Parade Saturday, Dec. 1.

Crowds gathered and cheered along Butler Avenue as the approximately 60 different organizations walked by, bringing with them the holiday spirit. With an overcast in the sky and chilly temperatures, many were bundled with heavy coats and gloves for the event hosted by Ambler Main Street.

B101 radio DJ and former Ambler resident Juan Varleta acted as master of ceremonies, identifying the different groups and offering interesting facts about each one.

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The parade kicked off with the Ambler Borough Police Department, followed closely behind by Lower Gwynedd, Whitpain and Upper Dublin police departments.

Richard M. Parker acted as this year’s grand marshal in front of many politicians including U.S. Rep. Allison Schwartz, D-13, state Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-12, who walked the streets passing out candy, Ambler Mayor Bud Wahl, a number of borough council members and others riding in classic cars.

Among those included in the parade were representatives from the Wissahickon, Colmar, Fort Washington, Flourtown, Montgomeryville and Centre Square fire companies.

Two Mummers string bands, marching bands from Wissahickon High School and Middle School, the School of Rock Fort Washington and the Montgomery County Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums band played classic holiday tunes to keep up the high energy among the crowd.

Additionally, a number of local troops from the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America walked the parade and passed out candy.

Students from Mattison Avenue Elementary School also walked down Butler with signs that read “Save Our School” to draw focus to the possibility of the school closing after this school year.

This year’s first-prize winning float came from the Fireside Bar & Grille with a giant steam locomotive designed to look like the train from the book “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg.

Of course it wouldn’t be a holiday parade without the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, who rode atop a fire truck waving to all the good little boys and girls of Ambler.

The parade was a hit for everyone in attendance both young and old.

For Reggie Wescott and his 5-year-old son, Aidan, the parade was a lot of fun. The two were excited especially for the arrival of Santa Claus.

Julia Watt had similar feelings about the parade. The Fort Washington resident called the parade “fantastic” with a “great crowd.” Her son, Ryan, 5, said he liked the Boy Scouts, while her daughter, Louella, 3, said she like the Girl Dcouts.

Planning for next year’s parade has already started, said Gene McGonagle of Ambler Main Street and owner of the Ambler Flower Show. He called the parade a success and was glad to see everyone was happy.

“Good weather doesn’t hurt either,” he joked.

Wahl said the parade was terrific.

“Every year is better,” he said.

Wahl thanked all the people involved for making the parade a success and especially thanked Ambler Main Street volunteer Cheryl Casalinovo who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make it the success it was.

“It was a successful day,” Casalinovo said, adding she’d begin booking the band for next year starting in February.

For Varleta, being the master of ceremonies for the day is always fun.

“It goes by so fast,” he said. “The best is seeing all the kids.”

He said Ambler is “like home for me” having been a previous resident and having watched when his own daughter was in the parade when she was a student at Stony Creek Elementary School.